Air con not working properly

[gazmacuk]

I've got an ed30 and had the aircon regassed recently. It worked for a couple of days then just blows cool air and not cold.

I've just looked under the bonnet and noticed the caps on the aircon valves are missing, will this make a difference? And what other reason is there for the aircon not working?


Thanks in advance

[doylebros]

The cap won't effect the issues but should be replaced ASAP to allow recharging with ease.

The first check would be a scan with VCDS, to see what if any fault code are thrown up.

The most common fault is the pressure switch it goes porous -  this is situated on the LHS when looking into the engine bay.

Other items could be defective but when it's re-gassed get them to add the dye to allow leak detection

This link shows the price of other items in the system including the switch!

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/volkswagen-golf-mk5-Car-air-conditioning-compressors-pumps-aircon-radiators-and-more

[Dave J]

^^ Thank you for the info...it's very timely!

Just had my aircon regassed today as I found it was so ineffective. I hoped it was just low gas, but had read about the sensor issue, so thought I would re-gas first & then ready my wallet for £50 for a new sensor.
My car has had a replacement aircon pump under warranty, but not under my ownership (car is an '08 model).

I was told there was no gas in the system when they (re)filled it, but they couldn't see a leak. I was told there is a fault code from the pressure switch, so left feeling reasonably ok that it was 'just' a sensor.

Parked up at home and could hear a high pressure leak from the car after it was turned off - could only be coming from the air con system.

At least they have added dye so we can see where the leak is.

This is starting to sound expensive...

[doylebros]

Could you not trace the leak if you could hear it hissing?

After the sensor it tends to be the condenser holed via a stone - £120ish from the supplier (via the link)plus couple hours labour and a re-gas.

[gazmacuk]

Cheers fellas, booked in tomorrow to be looked at .

[xjay1337]

I can't remember the guys name, but he had a shadow blue GTI with the RS4 buckets - I enabled his Cruise control for him - I was chatting to him and he said it was leaking from a bracket or a valve on the Air condition condensor/radiator itself

Obviously the high pressure switch would cause the system not to work at all however the high pressure hissing could be something else - The Air conditioning wouldn't even engage if the switch is faulty.

[Dave J]

Could you not trace the leak if you could hear it hissing?

After the sensor it tends to be the condenser holed via a stone - £120ish from the supplier (via the link)plus couple hours labour and a re-gas.

Yes, I guess so, but didn't want to get anywhere near that refrigerant gas. I cough enough as is! 

Cheers for the info - I was thinking it could be the condenser next...

[Woody.Guern]

Hello Dave J,

Did you get any further with your air con problem? I have a similar issue with my aircon, depressurised suddenly, suspected the pressure sensor,but it looks ok.I am thinking of getting the system regassed and checked to see what is causing the problem,could be expensive!!

Woody.

[Lollylauren]

May be the compressor check on diagnostic should be about 10 bar when idling

[Dave J]

Hello Dave J,

Did you get any further with your air con problem? I have a similar issue with my aircon, depressurised suddenly, suspected the pressure sensor,but it looks ok.I am thinking of getting the system regassed and checked to see what is causing the problem,could be expensive!!

Woody.

Hi Woody,

Sorry for a late reply, have been away for the weekend, but fortunately had today off work so managed to call in at my garage. They'd got the new high pressure switch in for me from VW, so they depressurised the A/C system, replaced the switch & refilled with new gas. All ok now!
They confirmed it was the switch that had gone - I had read of these going porous on here on other threads, so it was a slightly more pleasant bill than I was expecting.

Good luck with getting yours sorted!

Cheers,

Dave

[Woody.Guern]

Hi Dave J,

Just to confirm, was it the pressure sensor, just belo/infront of alternator? sorry, not quite sure what you mean by high pressure switch.

Thanks, Woody

[Dave J]

Hi Woody,

Yes, sorry - it's the same part. My garage said they change it using a crowfoot spanner, whatever that is! Heard it is tricky to get to...

Cheers,
Dave

[Woody.Guern]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for making it clear, I will book my car in to have the sensor changed gassed and tested, hopefully all will be well!
Will post back with the outcome in due course...
Woody

[Woody.Guern]

Hi,
Final update...
Pressure sensor was the culprit, although aparrantly the sensors look oily when they fail, mine was as new! So sensor replaced, system vacuum tested, all ok, re gassed and checked for leaks using sniffer, no leaks!
Air con now is icy cold and sorted. Total bill was £266, which also included a cvbootreplacement whilst the car was in.
Hope this might help someone in the future, Happy days!
Thanks to all,
 
Woody

[Dave J]

Good stuff - glad to hear yours is sorted now!